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MANILA, Philippines — Already facing what are widely considered trumped-up charges, community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio has been “quietly charged” with double murder, press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said.
According to the group, Cumpio, who is the director of the community-based news outlet Eastern Vista, is now facing charges of double murder and multiple attempted murder, with authorities linking her to the killing of two soldiers in 2019.
However, RSF said that Cumpio was only informed of the charges a few months ago and has not been told who filed the case against her.
“What is apparent, however, is how unsubstantiated these claims seem — just like the charges she’s currently facing in court,” the RSF said in a statement.
If found guilty, the 26-year-old journalist — who has been in pre-trial detention since 2020 — may face up to 40 years in prison.
According to RSF, the killings allegedly took place on October 18, 2019, near Sumoroy, Northern Samar — a location more than seven hours by road from Tacloban, where Cumpio resided.
The group’s investigation also found no material evidence placing Cumpio at the scene.
As with her ongoing trial, RSF said the new accusations are based on testimonies of alleged former communist rebels.
Alleged witnesses accusing Cumpio. According to the group, one alleged former rebel, now an army auxiliary, claimed to have survived the ambush and "immediately recognized" Cumpio among the attackers.
The witness, according to RSF, further alleged her involvement in recruiting for the New People's Army (NPA), a designated terrorist group.
However, the RSF also revealed that another known witness in the case — also a paramilitary soldier and purported survivor of the attack — does not mention the journalist among the attackers he identified in his sworn statement.
“Whereas she was supposed to be closely monitored by the military for far less serious suspicions, she was never questioned in connection with this ambush, neither before nor after her February 2020 arrest,” the RSF said in a statement.
“The circumstances are so improbable that it is difficult to believe such a case could even exist at the time,” it added.
The RSF also revealed that during its July fact-finding mission, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) had opened a parallel investigation into the double murder at the request of the soldiers’ families.
“The institution, whose mandate is to investigate human rights violations committed by state agents against civilians, found itself investigating a journalist who is already the target of unfounded charges brought by former rebels, dubious police and military methods, and severe procedural failures,” the RSF said.
Philstar.com asked the CHR to confirm if it conducted a parallel investigation into Cumpio’s case, but it has yet to reply.
In a statement on July 31, the CHR said that it has “taken cognizance” of Cumpio’s case, due to alleged mistreatment and abuse in prison.
Cases against Cumpio. On Feb. 7, 2020, Cumpio was arrested along with human rights advocates Mariel Domequil and Alexander Philip Abinguna during raids on properties that authorities claimed were communist safe houses.
They were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, while the Anti-Money Laundering Council also accused them of terrorism financing, alleging that the P557,360 seized during the raid was intended to support the NPA.
